Invalid&#39;s bed



A. J. TAYLOR March 14, 1950 INVALID "5 BED 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July30, 1945 March M, 1950 A. J. TAYLOR 2,500,742

INVALIDS BED Filed July 30, 1945 s Sheets-Sheet 2 l5 T1g L. Z8

' v INVENTOR. Azzf/v J AM 02 ATTOZ/WF/ Patented Mar. 14, 1950 UNITEDSTATES FATENT OFFICE INVALIDS BED Application July 30, 1945, Serial No.607,846

9 Claims.

This invention relates to a bed of the type in which the mattresssupporting frame is composed of sections that may be raised to inclinedpositions to support an occupant of the bed in a reclining posture inwhich the back is upright or partially so and the knees are somewhatbent. Such a frame ordinarily comprises a back section, a thigh section,and a leg section, with the back and thigh sections hinged, where theyadjoin each other, to the fixed frame of the bed and with the legsection hinged at one end to the thigh section and free to slidelongitudinally at its other end as the thigh section is elevated andlowered.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a bed of this type inwhich the vertical frame structure of the bed, including the head andfoot, comprises solid panels cooperating to form a cabinet for enclosingoperating mechanism. The foot end of the leg section must move up to aposition closely adjacent the foot of the bed as it is lowered to itshorizontal position.

Where the leg section, in being lowered from an inclined position to ahorizontal position, moves up to a position closely adjacent a solidtransverse frame member, there exists a dangerous possibility of a nurseor patient catching a toe or finger between the end of the leg sectionand such frame member. The likelihood of ex tremities of the bedcovering becoming caught between the approaching members alsoconstitutes a problem. The fixed longitudinal frame members of the bed,to which the mattress frame sections are hinged, if exposed at the sidesof such frame sections, may also provide the possibility of membersbecoming pinched between such fixed frame members and the movablemattress supporting frame members. With such problems in mind, theinvention has as one of its objects to provide a bed having anarticulating mattress supporting frame so constructed and arranged as tominimize the possibility of injury or damage resultingfrom the raisingand lowering movements of the frame sections.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bed having a mattresssupporting frame comprising a plurality of articulated sections whichare so constructed as to accommodate a mattress of maximum depth withoutrequiring too much space vertically of the bed. Toward the attainment ofthis result, the invention contemplates a frame which will support themattress without adding appreciably to the depth of space required foraccommodating the mattress alone.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bed having a mattresssupporting frame which may be transferred bodily from the bed to anambulatory cart so as to minimize the disturbing of a hospital patientin transferring him to and from an operating room, or to and from asunnin patio, etc. In connection with this general object, the inventionaims to provide a removable bed portion which incorporates hingedsections that may be elevated when such removable bed portion is inplace in the bed, and to provide elevating mechanism operable to effectsuch elevating and at the same time retractable to a position where theremoval of the removable portion will not be interfered with.

Another object is to provide elevating mechanism operable to separatelyraise both head and leg sections of the bed, yet of maximum simplicityand relatively inexpensive in construction.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from a perusal ofthe following specifications, taken in connection with the appendeddrawings, in which:

Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional view of a bed embodying theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the same, taken on the line 22of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial plan View of the same;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through a portion of a bedembodying a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a portion of the bed shown in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a detail vertical sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig.4.

As an example of one form in which the invention may be embodied, I haveshown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 a bed comprising a head panel lo, a foot panelii, and side panels [2, cooperating with a mattress supporting frame [3(when the latter is in a horizontal position) to define a cabinet-likeenclosure forapparatus and operating structure which may form part ofthe bed mechanism. The head and foot panels are connected bylongitudinal rails I3 to form a fixed frame on which the rest of the bedmechanism is supported.

Supported on. the fixed frame are a pair of mattress supporting frames Aand B, each of which is articulated, the frame A comprising a backsection it, a thigh section i5, and a leg section iii; and the frame Bcomprising a back section H, a thigh section i8, and a leg section 19.The frame B provides a seat for a toilet which may be arranged tocooperate with an opening 2i? therein. A mattress, properly designed toprovide an opening to register with the opening 20, is supported by theframe B.

The frame A supports a mattress which provides the normal supportingarea of the bed, from which the patient may shift to the toilet sid ofthe bed when the toilet is to be used. The mattress is indicated inbroken lines at 2! in Fig. l, and is, as indicated, adapted to freelybend in unison with its supporting frame. A sponge or foam rubbermattress has been found to be suitable for this purpose.

Each of the mattres frame sections comprises a flat bottom web 22 andside channels 23 all formed integrally from sheet metal. The channels 23extend upwardly from th web portions 22, and open downwardly. In theframe A, the channels 23 embrace longitudinal rails 26 of a removableframe 25 which includes transverse bars 26 joining the rails 24 inspaced relation. The channels 23 of the frame section it, and thechannels 23 of the frame section l are hinged to each other and to therail 24 by hinges 21. The channels 23' are hinged to the channels 23" ofthe frame section l6, by hinges 2B. The foot ends of the channels 23"are slidingly supported on the rails 25. When the frame is lowered toits horizontal position, the channels 23, 23 and 23" receive the rails26, being of just sufilcient width to freely slide over the rails.

The foot end of the web portion 22" of the frame section l5 has its edgein sliding engagement with the smooth upper surface of the cross bar 26at the foot of the ambulatory frame 25, and since the web is only ofsheet metal thickness, the likelihood of a bodily extremity becomingpinched between th edge of the web and the foot panel H, is practicallynil. Also, since the rails 2d traverse the spaces between the ends ofthe channels 23 and the foot panel l i when the frame section I6 israised, it is substantially impossible for an extremity to becomepinched between a channel and th foot panel.

In order to avoid the necessity for the sliding engagement between theedges of the channels 23 and the web 22" to carry the Weight of the legframe section it and its load, I provide rollers 29, journalled in thechannels 23" and operating in track slots 39 in the rails 2d.

The hinges Z'l and 28 are located at or near the upper extremities ofthe channels 23 in order that the hinge axes may intersect the mattress(which will be of such thickness as to extend substantially above theframe sections) and thereby facilitate the bending of the mattress inconformity to the bending of the frame. Consequently, the adjacent edgesof the channels 23, 23' and 23" must separate and move together as theframe is articulated downwardly and upwardly respectively. To cover thegaps that would otherwise be formed between the webs as the result ofsuch separation, I provide bridging panels 3% and 32 which are hingedat33 and 56 to the Webs 22 and 22' respectively, and which have their freeedges in sliding bearing engagement with the upper surfaces of the webs22 and 22" respectively. The panel 3i moves toward the hinge 27 as thesections M and it are raised, thus assisting the mattress to make a bendof broader radius and minimizing tension strains in the lower side ofthe mattress at this bend.

The ambulatory frame 25 is supported on rollers 35 journalled in crossframe members 35 of the fixed frame. Traveling on the rollers 35, theframe 25 may be shifted laterally from the bed onto a suitableambulatory cart.

My improved mechanism for elevating the frame sections involves the useof identical power units, each comprising an electric motor 3! attachedto a reduction gear unit 38 which is suspended from a frame member 36through a pivotal connection 39. Each reduction gear 38 forms part of ascrew jack also including an interiorly threaded sleeve 40 driventhrough the gear unit, and a threaded rod 4! threaded into the sleeve40.

The free end of the rod M is pivoted, at 42, to a lever 43 which isattached to a transverse shaft M journalled in bearings 45 suspendedfrom the rails 13. Secured to the shaft A5 are two pairs of arms 45, onepair being located beneath the respective sides of the frame A and theother pair being located beneath the respective sides of the frame 13.Above the arms 46, and pivoted to the fixed frame rails l3 as at 41, arearms d8 each of which carries a roller 49 engaging the under side of aweb portion of a mattressframe section. Each arm 48 is connected to acorresponding arm 46 by a link 50 and pivotal connections 5! and 52between the link and the respective arms. The arms 48 are adapted toswing from horizontal positions, in the plane of the rails 13, to theelevated positions shown, and, in doing so, to raise the respec' tiveback and leg sections of the bed to the elevated positions shown, or toany intermediate position. When in their horizontal, retractedpositions, the arms 48 are removed from the path of horizontal movementof the ambulatory frame 25, so as to permit the removal of the same fromthe bed.

One of the shafts, with its associated mechanism, is located beneath thehead sections M and H, and serves these two sections. The other shaft lis located beneath the leg sections 15 and i9, and its associatedmechanism serves these two sections. The two elevating mechanisms areidentical, thus simplifying the problems of manufacture and servicing.

In the operation of the elevating mechanism, drive is transmitted fromthe motors to the reduction gear units 38 to rotate the threaded sleeves40. The motors 31 are reversible, and suitable controls for energizingthe motors in both directions, are provided. In one direction ofoperation, the threaded rods 4| will be drawn into the sleeves 40,causing the levers 43 and arms 46 and 48 to swing counter-clockwise, asviewed in Fig. 1, thereby raising the head and leg sections of the bed.By operating the motors in the opposite directions, the shafts M will beextended from the sleeves 40, permitting the head and leg sections tosettle back toward horizontal Either motor may be operated separately,so as to raise or lower only the head sections or the foot sections ofthe bed, as the case may be.

The channeled construction of the mattress frame sections makes itpossible to employ mattresses of ample depth for maximum comfort withoutunduly increasing the height of the upper surface of the complete bed.The side channels 23 serve to retain the mattress and to conceal asubstantial portion of its edge area. Their channeled constructionprovides framing rigidity for the bed sections, and conceals the framerails 24 when the sections are in their lowered positions.

The toilet seat frame B is mounted on a fixed frame similar to the frame25 and comprising longitudinal rails 24' and cross bars 26. The bars 26'are secured to the transverse members 36 as indicated at 53.

The form of the invention shown in Figs. 4, 5

positions.

5. and 6 adds the improved feature of substantially eliminating anypossibility of a finger or bedcl'othes' becoming pinched betweenthemattress supporting sections and the rails- 24 and 2%. In this form ofthe invention, the frame 25a is cons'tru'cte'd with longitudinal rails24a which are spaced inwardly from the lateral extremities of themattress frame sections, being welded or otherwise suitably secured tothe cross frame members 26a as indicated. The members 213a extendbeyondtherails 24a and are provided at their ends with upturned bracketand flange members 54 and 55. The brackets 54 connect the hinges 21 tothe fixed frame, and the flanges 55 are received in the channels 23" andclose the gaps between the ends of these flanges and the foot panel ofthe bed.

The elevating mechanism of the form shown in Fig. 4 differs from thatdescribed in connection with the other forms of the invention, in thatthe arms 48a and 48b and the levers 53a and 432) are fulcrumed on pivots41a and 41b and shafts 44a and 44b respectively on axes that aredisposed closely adjacent each other below the axis of the hinges 21,and the arms 48b and 46b extend in the opposite direction from the arms48a and 46a. Also, the arms 4% act against the thigh sections l and 18instead of the leg sections of the bed, and the screw jacks act inopposed relation rather than in the same direction. Each power unitcomprises a motor 31a and reduction gearing 38a, the motor 31a in eachinstance being pivoted at 39 to a bracket 3% attached to a cross framemember 36. Other features of this bed are similar to those of the bedshown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and are referred to by similar referencenumerals.

I claim as my invention:

1. A bed comprising a frame having a transverse member and longitudinalrails, and a raisable mattress supporting frame section having sideflanges comprising downwardly opening channels receiving said rails andhaving end portions slidable thereon adjacent said transverse member butspaced therefrom by gaps, the width of which varies with slidingmovementof said end portions, said rails traversing said gaps so as to preventthe entrance into said gaps of members that might otherwise becomepinched therein.

2. A bed as defined in claim 1, wherein said side flanges are providedwith rollers journalled in said channels, and wherein said rails areprovided with longitudinal slots forming tracks in which said rollersoperate to support the said flanges for longitudinal movement.

3. A bed comprising a horizontal frame having flat longitudinal railsarranged in spaced vertical planes and transverse members connectingsaid rails, and a raisable mattress supporting frame comprising a headsection and a thigh section hinged to said rails and a foot sectionhinged to said thigh section, said sections having side flange memberscomprising downwardly opening channels receiving said rails when thesections are in horizontal positions, said sections being adapted to beraised to elevated, inclined positions.

4. A bed as defined in claim 3, wherein there are gaps between the endsof said channels and one of said transverse frame members and whereinsaid rails traverse said gaps so as to prevent the entrance into saidgaps of members that might otherwise become pinched therein.

5. A bed as defined in claim 3, including a fixed frame on which saidhorizontal frame is sup- 6. por-tedfor horizontal translationalmovement-, to permit removal of the same from-the fi xed frame and itstransfer to an ambulatory cart.

6. A bed comprising a fixed frame, a removable horizontal framesupported thereon for horizontal translational movement whereby it maybe removed from the bed, a mattress supportin frame supported upon saidremovable frame and comprising a head section and a thigh section hingedto the removable frame and a foot section hinged to's'aid thighsection,- and ,elevatingmeans comprising apair .of. .arms pivoted to the.fixed frame and adapted to move from positions disposed below the planeof said removable frame to positions contacting a section of saidremovable.

frame and raising the same to an inclined position, bell crank levermeans pivoted to said fixed frame and linked to said arms, and a powerunit pivoted at one end to said bell crank means and at its other end tothe fixed frame.

7. A bed comprising a fixed frame, a removable horizontal framesupported thereon for horizontal translational movement whereby it maybe removed from the bed, a mattress supporting frame supported upon saidremovable frame and comprising a head section and a thigh section hingedto the removable frame and a foot section hinged to said thigh section,and elevating means comprising a pair of arms pivoted to the fixed frameand adapted to move from positions disposed below the plane of saidremovable frame to positions contacting a section of said removableframe and raising the same to an inclined position, bell crank levermeans pivoted to said fixed frame and linked to said arms, and a powerunit pivoted at one end to said bell crank means and at its other end tothe fixed frame, said power unit comprising a motor and reduction gearunit suspended from the fixed frame and a screw jack interposed betweensaid reduction gear and said bell crank means.

8. A bed comprising a supporting frame and a mattress frame comprising ahead section and a thigh section pivoted to said supporting frame, and aleg section pivoted to said thigh section, each of said sectionscomprising a bottom web and side flanges extending upwardly from theside extremities thereof, all formed integrally of sheet metal anddefining collectively a pan for receiving and supporting a mattress,said sections being connected by hinges between adjacent ends of saidside flanges near the upper ends thereof and including bridging panelseach hinged to an end of one section and slidably resting upon the uppersurface of the web portion of an adjacent section.

9. A bed comprising a supporting frame and a mattress frame comprising ahead section and a thigh section pivoted to said supporting frame and aleg section pivoted to said thigh section, each of said sectionscomprising a bottom web and side flanges extending upwardly from theside extremities thereof, all formed integrally of sheet metal anddefining collectively a, pan for receiving and supporting a mattress,said supporting frame including a transverse connecting member and anadjacent upright foot panel, said connecting member having a fiat uppersurface, the end of the web portion of the leg section being slidablyassociated with said surface and spaced from said foot panel by a gap,said connecting member traversing said gap to prevent the entry intosaid gap of a member that might 7 otherwise become pinched thereinin-the low Number ering movement of the foot section. 847,758 ALLAN J.TAYLOR. 971,381 1,432,777 REFERENCES CITED 5 1353557 The followingreferences are of record in the 21297305 fileof this paterrtz' 2,308,592

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 1 Name Date 10 Number 5,100 LatourandaisMay 1, 1847 4,313 10,315 Page" Dec. 13, 1853 Name Date Frye Mar. 19,1907 Keller Sept. 27, 1910 Mortimore Oct. 24, 1922 Bell May 17, 1932Laukhuff Sept. 29, 1942 Drexler et a1 J an. 19, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTSCountry Date Sweden July 8, 1893

